easy mark
Definition
- Noun:
- A defenseless victim; a person who is easily deceived, cheated, or taken advantage of: An "easy mark" refers to someone who is particularly vulnerable, gullible, or susceptible to being targeted by dishonest people, such as con artists or swindlers.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The con artist scanned the crowd, looking for an easy mark.
- Tourists unfamiliar with local scams are often seen as easy marks by pickpockets.
- Because he was too trusting, he became an easy mark for the fraudulent investment scheme.
Advanced Usage
- "to be an easy mark for (something)": To be particularly susceptible to a specific type of deception or exploitation.
- Elderly individuals living alone are often an easy mark for phone scammers.
- Used informally, often in contexts involving crime, trickery, or unfair advantage.
Variants and Related Words
- Mark (n., informal): In criminal slang, a "mark" is the intended victim of a swindle or con game. "Easy mark" is a specific compound of this term.
- Sitting duck (n., idiom): Another term for a vulnerable or easy target.
- Pushover (n.): A person who is easily defeated or persuaded.
Synonyms
- Dupe: A person who is easily deceived or fooled.
- Sucker (informal): A gullible person.
- Patsy (informal): A person who is easily taken advantage of or blamed.
Related Idioms
- Like taking candy from a baby: An idiom describing something very easy to do, often unethically, similar to exploiting an "easy mark."
- Selling him that broken car was like taking candy from a baby.
Noun
-
a defenseless victim
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